Sign.



No. 781,859. PATBNTED FEB. 7, 1905. H. L. WOOLFENDEN 6L C. W. HUMPHREY.

SIGN.

APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 1o. 1904.

SSHEBTS-SHBET l.

O e l A im wm U wm. f mm d@ No. 781,859. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. H. L. WOOLFENDEN & C. W. HUMPHRBY.

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 10, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No. 781,859. PATENTBD FEB. 7, 1905. H. L. WOOLFENDEN L C. W. HUMPHREY.

SIGN.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1o. 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

iTsD STATES 'Patented February '7, 1905.

PATENT Price.

HENRY LUMSDEN VOOLFENDEN AND CLIFFORD lVAYNE HUMPIIREY, OF DENVER. COLORADO.

SIGN.

SPECIFICATION .forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,859, dated February '7, 1905.

Application filed September 10, 1904. Serial NoA 224,046.

To r/,ZZ wlw/1t it may concern:

Be it known that we` H uNaY LUMsDnN bornanNDaN and CLIFFORD VAYNE HUM- ruaar, of Denver, Colorado, (whose post-oflice addresses are 35 Seventeenth street, Denver, Colorada) have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signs, of which the following' is a specitication.

Our invention relates to movable or variable signs in which the sig'n or relative portions of certain elements thereof may be moved either intermittently or continuously, as desired. The movement of the parts of the sign may advantageously be made to vary their shape orcontour in some instances and may also vary the contour of letters, borders, or other characte rs or representations thereon. Vhen such letters`I borders, or the like are outlined in incandescent lamps or other light-distributing elements, the effect is particularly striking'.

Figures l and '2 of the drawing's represent, in side elevation, a sig'n embodying' ourinvention in two of its varied positions. Fig. 3 shows a moditied form of sig'n in two positions. Fig'. a shows in two positions a further moditication. Figs. and 6 show further modifications of our invention. Figs. 'T and t5 show in two positions still diierent forms of the device.

Referringl to Figs. l and i2 ot' the drawings, ll designates a wall or like support from which extends a horizontal rod or pole l). From the pole l2 depends a plurality of frames, (shown as three in number and designated as 2122 23, respectively.) Each of these is shown as consistingot' a plurality of bars Q-L, all pivoted at each of their ends to cross-bars 25, so that the entire frame may be racked to produce a "diamond -shaped77 tigure, with its longer axis either horizontal or vertical. On each of the frames may be outlined a letter or other character. l'Ve have shown for the purpose of illustration only certain letters formed of a plurality of light-giving' elements, as electric-light bulbs Q6, in a well-known manner. Vlt will be seen that one or more of the bulbs is secured to each of the bars Q4, and it is evident that any well-known form of reiiector may be employed .for each bulb or that a space at the base of each bulb may be given a distinctive, preferably light-reflecting, color, as is customary in the art, or the bulbs may be omitted or removed without entirely destroying the efliciency of the device. As shown, theframes 2l 9.2 23 are ornamented with bulbs forming the letters (ir, A, and S, respectively. The frame 23 farthest from the wall 11 is shown as secured tothe rod l2 at its upper corner, the frames 9.1 and Q2 as hung on idlers to freely move along' the rod, and all the frames as having' pivotal connections QT at their adjacent corners. A rod 2S is secured to the frame 2l and extends to any source of motion which may bc within the building represented by the wall 1l. lt is evident that the retraction of the rod l2, as shown in Fig. l, horizontally elongates the frames 2l 22 23,whereby the letters thereon assume a low broad shape. Then thc rod 1Q is protruded, as in Fig'. Q, the frames are elongated vertically and the letters correspondingly distorted without in this case losing their identity or legibility.

Fig'. 3 shows in two positions a variablyshaped box-like `frame' 3l, which may be supported from one of its corners and distorted in either direction from the cubical forni. As the means by which its shape is altered 'form no part of our presentinvention and are within the province of a skilled mechanic, we have not deemed it necessary to particularly illustrate or describe them. lt is clear that, as bc- Vfore, the movement of the 'frame 31 distorts the letters 32 or the like outlined on its sides.

ln Fig'. s we represent a panel 41, shown as of annular form, on which may be represented any desired device for advertising' or like purposes. The matter on the panel l is lighted by a plurality of electric bulbs l2, secured to the frame composed of bars i3, pivoted together at their ends and provided with guiding-rods il, shown as sliding' behind the panel ll, and a part l5, to which thc movement-producing' device (not shown) may be attached.

ln Fig'. 5 is shown the wall 11 and pole l2 of Fig'. 1. From the pole depends by means of an extension device 5l of the well known pantograph or lazy-tongs pattern a sign 52, which may bc of any desired conlig'u ration IOO , any portion o1' the sign.

and may be electrically ligated, as shown. The outer upper corner o1' the lazy-tongs 51 is secured to the pole 12 and the inner upper corner to a rod 28, as above described. It is evident that the longitudinal movement of the rod 28 will alternately raise and depress the sign 52.

The form o1' our device shown in Fig. 6 provides aplurality of telescoping frames 61 62 63 64, the number of which may o1l course be increased or decreased, as desired. The frame 61 is shown as secured to a wall 11 and as of a size and shape to inclose or practically to conceal the frame 62, on which is a letter, ligure, or other part of a sign or similar device. In like manner the frame 62 is adapted to receive or cover the frame 63, containing' This in turn may hide the frame 64. A lazy-tongs 65 connects the frames and by means of the longitudinal movement of the rod 28 alternately reveals the lettered frames, as shown in the drawings, or retracts them behind or within the frame 61. It is clear that by suitable mechanism the dilferentframes may be caused to emerge in any desired order.

Fig'. 7 of the drawings shows two positions of a further modification oi' our invention. In this case the wall 11 carries a sig'n 71, which may be Jformed of or illuminated by lamps '72. Adjacent the sign 71 is a horizontallydisposed extension device 73, opened and closed by a rod 28, as before. The outer bars 74 75 o1' the extension device 73 are formed to receive a vertical rod 76, which may bear on its upper end apointer 77, shown as a hand. The upper end of the rod 76 is twisted or otherwise formed to a thread of high pitch, so that the extension of the tongs 73 serves to rotate the pointer 77. The parts are preferably so arranged that the hand when fully extended points toward the sign 71. Obviously the hand may be self-illuminated in any advantageous manner.

Fig. 8 represents varied positions of a device formed o1' upper and lower hoops81 82, connected by a plurality of pivotally-attached staves or bars 83. The hoops and bars may bear as light-distributing elements 84 either electric bulbs or light-reflecting jeweled ornaments, as preferred. Means (not shown) for rotating either or both of the hoops on its axis serve to vary the contour ot' the device from a cylinder to the hour-glass form shown.

Te have illustrated and described several diiferent forms of our invention to indicate that we do not wish to be limited to a particular construction. It is also evident that the material, as well as the configuration of the device, may vary within wide limits.

Having thus described our invention and without limiting ourselves to details, what we claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. :A sign or advertising device consisting' a letter or character, and means for producy ing a relative motion of said parts whereby the configuration o1' said parts is alternated.

4. A sign or advertising device comprising a plurality o1' parts, each having a plurality of lightdistributing elements, and means for producing a relative motion of said parts whereby the configuration of said parts is alternated.

5. A sign or advertising device comprising a plurality of parts, each bearing a plurality o1l light-distributing elements, means for varying the relative position of said parts, and means for varying' the relative positions ot' said elements with respect to the part on which they are supported.

6. A sign or advertising device comprising a plurality ot' parts, each bearing a plurality of light-distributing elements, and synchronously-operating means for varying the relative positionoic said parts and for varying the relative positions of said elements with respect to the part on which they are supported.

7. A sign or advertising' device comprising' a plurality ot' parts, each bearing a plurality o1' light-distributing elements forming a letter or character, means for varying' the relative position o1' said parts, and means for varying the relative positions of said elements with respect to said parts, whereby said letters or characters are distorted.

8. A sign or advertising device comprising a frame consisting' of a plurality of pivotallyconnected bars bearing portions of a letter or character, and means for varying the contour o1' said frame, whereby the contour o1' said letters is distorted.

9. A sign or advertising device comprising a plurality o1' frames, each composed o1` a plurality o1' pivotally-connected bars bearing portions ot' a letter or character, means for varying' the relative positions of said frames, and means for varying the contour of said frames, whereby the letters or characters thereon are distorted.

In testimony whereof I have signed this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing' witnesses. I

HENRY LUMSDEN WOOLFENDEN. LIFFORD WAYNE HUMPHREY. Witnesses:

CLAUDE H. THOMAS, A. C. VHITE.

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